Cape Town Spurs were eliminated from the Nedbank Cup after a 1-0 loss to Motsepe Foundation Championship leaders University of Pretoria on Wednesday evening.
After a fine performance on Saturday, the Urban Warriors named Boitumelo Radiopane up top once again as AmaTuks featured Mamelodi Sundowns graduate Promise Mkhuma.
There weren’t any clear openings in the earlier exchanges and in that aspect the match remained tight as well as compact in all departments.
AmaTuks, who ascended to the top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship table over the weekend, had a bright start to the year whereas Spurs seemed to have turned the corner.
The home team were in the lead three minutes past the half-hour mark when Delano Abrahams finished from the penalty spot following a hand-ball off Mkhuma’s shot.
Spurs coach Ernst Middendorp pulled on two changes ahead of the second half in Bradley Ralani and Keagan Buchanan, while Tuks made just one change in Maselaelo Seanego.
The Urban Warriors struggled to get a breakthrough and get back on equal terms, as AmaTuks fought tirelessly to preserve their lead.
Middendorp issued new signing Spheshile Maduna his debut and removed Katleho Maphathe in a desperate quest to go level.
However, AmaTuks remained difficult to breakdown as the clock wind down and could’ve added a second through a long-range drive by Seanego but it went wide.
In the end, AmaTuks were able to run down the final few minutes of the match to confirm the win and a spot in the last 16.
Confirmed line-ups:
University of Pretoria: Van der Walt, Gum, Mahlangu, Mokoen, Majadibodu, Marebane, Mkhuma, Mvambi, Abrahams, Mohlamonyane, Makungo
Subs: Mamabolo, Francis, Seanego, Sekotlong, Zandamela, Mpedi, Makwarimba, Rangata, Ramshala
Cape Town Spurs: Boschoff, Nkwali, Moroole, Maphathe, De Goede, Kamagi, Bern, Butsaka, Phewa, Velebayi, Radiopane.
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